How to Save on Gas

Topics

How to Save on Gas

Unsurprisingly, the price of gas is on the rise again in Arizona and it has the potential to ruin some road trip plans. While we cannot control the price of fuel, we can do our part to maintain our cars as best we can so as to avoid filling up at the pump as much as possible. Premier Coach Works recommends the following actions to preserve the life of your vehicle, save gas and protect your wallet:

Use Efficient Fuel: Unless your car requires premium fuel, use regular unleaded gas. High-octane fuels don’t boost gas mileage or performance in cars that don’t require them, so the extra cost makes them a waste of money for most consumers.

Park in the Shade:Heat causes your car to act like a greenhouse and trap warm air inside. Running your air conditioner can decrease gas mileage by 5 to 10 percent. By parking in the shade, you decrease the time it will take to cool the air. Even though the shade throughout the Phoenix summer is not much cooler than areas in the sunlight, every few degrees lower the vehicle is can help preserve a very small amount of fuel.

Check Your Tires: Under-inflated tires lower the car’s gas mileage because they wear down quicker. Under-inflated tires can lower your miles per gallon by 15 percent, so keep a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment and check the temperatures once a month, preferably after your car has been idle for twelve or so hours.

Maintain: Use the correct oil for your vehicle and don’t skimp on quality. Look for a label that qualifies the oil as being energy conserving, as these oils contain additives that lower the friction. A car that fails emissions or is out of tune can lower gas mileage by 4 percent.

Change Air Filters: Your engine has to work harder and use more fuel when the filters are clogged with dirt, debris and bugs. Change the car’s oil and air filters in order to improve gas mileage by up to 10 percent.

When filling: When you fill your car with gas, don’t top off the tank. Gas that overflows will evaporate and won’t go into the tank. Save money by only taking what you need. When you’re done, tighten the gas cap to prevent fumes from escaping. The Car Care Council estimates that 147 million gallons of gas evaporate each year due to faulty gas caps.

Premier Coach Works is a full-service auto, RV, truck and class car repair company that provides all kinds of mechanical services to Arizona Valley residents. For more details, please contact us online or call us at 623-935-6678.